even though I am a relative nOOb, I can tell you that Mitchell's Mausers has mixed reviews from people at best. I ended up getting mine at my local gun shop for around $300 (pics in other thread in here I started).

there are many places to get Mausers. Take your time & look around. Don't rush it.

I have both of these rifles. They are both superb. The action on
the 24/47 is basically a clone of the K98 action. The bolt handle is
a straight on the M24/47. The stock and handguard are a little different
as well.

I had passed up the M24/47 and the M48 for quite a while in my collecting,
being satisfied with my K98 rifles. I had a chance to pick up a mint
M24/47 that had an attractive stock and bought it. I was highly impressed
by the build quality and the accuracy of the rifle. I have yet to see a
higher quality mauser available for the price than what the M24/47's have
been going for. Many, if not most, of these rifles have new bores. I now
have a couple more of them and also an M48A.

The actions are different. The 24/47 is like its copy, the Yugo M48; it has a shorter action and a different bolt face and breeching than the standard Model 98 Mauser action as on the K.98k and Czech VZ-24.

I agree with the comments on Mitchell's. Their K.98k's are worked over and nice looking but without much collector value as they are heavily buffed and reblued, with polished bolts and refinished stocks. They also have claimed that the M48 is WWII, was used by Germany, and has historical value, none of which is true. (They even cite the Yugoslav crest with "1943" to "prove" that the guns are from WWII; that is like proving that the dollar bill in your wallet was printed in 1776 because that date is on it. If that is not deceptive advertising, I don't know what is.)

About the only utility Mitchell's has is for someone who totally doesn't know how to check out a Mauser, doesn't want to deal with wandering up and down gun show aisles, just wants a pretty shooter, and wants to be able to send it back if they or it have issues. Unless you fit those very narrow criteria, there have to be a million better places to spend your money. I paid less for my no-import-marks, unrefinished byf 43 than Mitchell's would have charged me for a buffed-to-death Yugo at the time...

Hmm . . . I think a 24/47 is headed my way soon. Is $130 + shipping a good price for direct purchase using my C&R?

Thanks for the heads up on Mitchell's. Reason I was considering them is that I want a VG/Exc condition shooter in 8x57. Didn't realize theirs were not original guns but rather reconditioned extensively.

i came across a czech vz-24 and bought it even though i was looking for a k-98 and im very pleased with it. shoots great at 300 yards havnt had the chance to take it out for a longer distance shot. i wouldnt trade it now. but thats just me

One advantage the VZ-24, 24/47, M48 and other Mausers have over the K.98k is that the handguard wood extends back behind the rear sight. If you fire a K.98k enough, that rear section of the barrel gets a bit warm, as in Yeeeoouuch! Please don't ask me how I know.

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